U.S. patent application number 10/568758 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for rubber crawler traveling device.
Invention is credited to Shingo Sugahara.
Application Number | 20060220456 10/568758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34191065 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060220456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sugahara; Shingo |
October 5, 2006 |
Rubber crawler traveling device
Abstract
The present invention relates to a rubber track traveling
device, which adjusts contact between a guide and a drive wheel to
a normal state by adjusting the direction, meandering and the like
of a rubber track particularly in relation to the drive wheel. The
rubber track traveling device comprises: an idler wheel provided at
a vehicle; a drive wheel; a wheel provided between the idler wheel
and the drive wheel on a ground-contact surface side; and a rubber
track entrained around the idler wheel, the drive wheel and the
wheel, wherein an adjustment mechanism for orienting the direction
of the rubber track to the direction of the vehicle is provided at
the idler wheel and/or the wheel.
Inventors: |
Sugahara; Shingo; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
34191065 |
Appl. No.: |
10/568758 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 18, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/11842 |
371 Date: |
February 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
305/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 55/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
305/116 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/62 20060101
B60S001/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2003 |
JP |
2003-294866 |
Claims
1] A rubber track traveling device comprising: an idler wheel
provided at a vehicle; a drive wheel; a wheel provided between the
idler wheel and the drive wheel on a ground-contact surface side;
and a rubber track entrained around the idler wheel, the drive
wheel and the wheel, wherein an adjustment mechanism for orienting
the direction of the rubber track to the direction of the vehicle
is provided at the idler wheel and/or the wheel.
2] The rubber track traveling device according to claim 1, wherein
the adjustment mechanism is provided at the wheel closest to the
drive wheel.
3] The rubber track traveling device according to claim 1, wherein
the adjustment mechanism adjusts the orientation of a shaft
supporting the idler wheel and/or the wheel.
4] The rubber track traveling device according to claim 1, wherein
the adjustment mechanism includes: a shaft supporting a pair of
idler wheels and/or wheels; a connecting member connected to the
shaft at a proximal end thereof; a shaft supporting the connecting
member at a central portion thereof so that the connecting member
is rotatable in a horizontal direction relative to the vehicle; a
frame fixed to the vehicle and accommodating a distal end of the
connecting member; and adjusting screws disposed at sides of the
frame and being movable in the horizontal direction so as to be
able to change the orientation of the distal end of the connecting
member.
5] The rubber track traveling device according to claim 1, wherein
the adjustment mechanism includes: a shaft supporting a pair of
idler wheels and/or wheels; a horizontal rod extending the shaft; a
frame fixed to the vehicle and accommodating the horizontal rod;
and adjusting screws disposed at sides of the frame and being
movable in a horizontal direction so as to be able to change the
orientation of the distal end of the horizontal rod.
6] The rubber track traveling device according to claim 1, wherein
the adjustment mechanism includes: a shaft supporting a pair of
idler wheels and/or wheels; a vertical rod connected to the shaft;
a connecting member connected to the vertical rod; a frame fixed to
the vehicle and accommodating the connecting member; and adjusting
screws disposed at sides of the frame and being movable in a
horizontal direction so as to be able to change the orientation of
the distal end of the connecting member.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a rubber track traveling
device, and more particularly to a rubber track traveling device
which ensures straight traveling.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A rubber track traveling device of the present invention
will be described below in connection with a friction-drive type
rubber track. Steel cords serving as tension reinforcing materials
are embedded in a rubber elastic body, which has ends, in a
longitudinal direction thereof. An endless rubber track is formed
by overlapping the steel cords at the ends of the rubber elastic
body. Guides are formed at predetermined intervals at a center of
the rubber elastic body on an inner side thereof, while lugs are
formed on an outer side of the rubber elastic body.
[0003] Even when rubber tracks look the same at the first glance,
slight difference in the length in a transverse direction, presence
of twists, or difference in the tension of the steel cords is
inevitable.
[0004] For this reason, it has been suggested that, when each of
the rubber tracks is mounted to a vehicle, the properties
(characteristics) of the rubber track be understood first, and then
the orientation of an idler wheel of the vehicle be adjusted in
accordance with the properties of the rubber track.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a rubber track traveling
device. A rubber track 4 is entrained around an idler wheel 1, a
drive wheel 2 and wheels 3. FIG. 2 is a view showing the state of
the rubber track traveling device on a ground-contact surface. In
FIG. 2, reference numeral 5 indicates guides formed at
predetermined intervals on an inner peripheral surface of the
rubber track 4 at a center thereof. Namely, the idler wheel 1, the
drive wheel 2 and the wheels 3 travel at both sides of the guides
5. When the vehicle and the rubber track 4 do not travel in
identical directions, the guides 5 collide with the respective
wheels (1, 2 and 3). As a result, wear of the guides 5 increases,
thereby decreasing the life of the rubber track 4.
[0006] Normally, an adjustment mechanism 6 may be provided at the
idler wheels 1 in order to orient the direction of the rubber track
4 to the direction of the vehicle. Specifically, a mechanism which
can adjust the orientation of the idler wheels 1 (in directions
indicated by arrows) is provided in order to compensate for the
characteristics of each rubber track.
[0007] However, in examining the causes of uneven wear of the
guides 5 of the rubber track 4, it is found that the greatest
effects occur when the guides 5 enter under the drive wheels 2,
which are heavy and have a large diameter (i.e., the portion
surrounded by a dotted line). Namely, even if the orientation of
the rubber track 4 is adjusted at the idler wheels 1 as in the
conventional art, this adjustment force does not last until it
reaches the drive wheels 2 since the distance from the idler wheels
1 to the drive wheels 2 is long. As a result, the rubber track 4
proceeds in a different direction or meanders. Thus, uneven contact
of the guides 5 with the drive wheels 2 at the portion surrounded
by the dotted line is inevitable, and uneven wear of the guides 5
increases.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0008] In light of the above-described conventional technology, an
object of the present invention is to adjust the direction,
meandering and the like of the rubber track, particularly in
relation to the drive wheels so that the contact between the guides
and the drive wheels becomes normal.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0009] In summary, the present invention provides a rubber track
traveling device comprising: an idler wheel provided at a vehicle;
a drive wheel; a wheel provided between the idler wheel and the
drive wheel on a ground-contact surface side; and a rubber track
entrained around the idler wheel, the drive wheel and the wheel,
wherein an adjustment mechanism for orienting the direction of the
rubber track to the direction of the vehicle is provided at the
idler wheel and/or the wheel.
[0010] As for the wheel, the adjustment mechanism is preferably
provided at the wheel closest to the drive wheel. Means for
adjusting the orientation of shafts supporting the idler wheel and
the wheel is a specific example of the adjustment mechanism.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The rubber track traveling device of the present invention
has the above-described structure and preferably includes a
plurality of adjustment mechanisms in order to orient the direction
of the rubber track to the direction of the vehicle. With this
structure, uneven wear of the guides is significantly reduced and,
consequently, the life of the rubber track is greatly improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a conventional rubber track
traveling device.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view showing the state of the rubber track
traveling device of FIG. 1 on a ground-contact surface.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view showing the state of a rubber track
traveling device of the present invention on a ground-contact
surface.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view showing a first embodiment of an adjustment
mechanism.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a view showing a second embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] In the present invention, as described above, adjustment is
preferably carried out at two portions. Particularly, when an
adjustment function is provided at the wheel closest to the drive
wheel, influence of the drive wheel on the guides can be minimized,
and thus uneven wear of the guides can be prevented. Namely, even
if adjustment is performed at the idler wheel, it is inevitable
that the rubber track, which has passed the plurality of wheels, is
slightly displaced from the original adjustment. Thus, the
adjustment mechanism is normally provided at the wheels as well to
correct the orientation of the rubber track, such that the rubber
track is moved to the drive wheel with the best orientation
possible. In this way, uneven wear of the guides can be
significantly reduced.
[0021] Adjustment of the idler wheel and/or the wheel can be
carried out in no other way than by trial and error because the
adjustment varies according to the properties of the rubber track.
Thus, the easiest process for adjustment is as follows. First, the
rubber track is entrained around the respective wheels. Thereafter,
the rubber track is made to travel straight several hundred meters.
Then, the temperature of side surfaces of the guides of the rubber
track is used to determine the friction thereof. Finally, based on
the results, adjustment is sequentially carried out until an
optimum value is obtained.
[0022] A specific embodiment of the adjustment mechanism is an
adjustment mechanism including: a shaft supporting a pair of idler
wheels and/or wheels; a connecting member connected to the shaft at
a proximal end thereof; a shaft supporting the connecting member at
a central portion thereof so that the connecting member is
rotatable in a horizontal direction relative to the vehicle; a
frame fixed to the vehicle and accommodating a distal end of the
connecting member; and adjusting screws disposed at sides of the
frame and being movable in the horizontal direction so as to be
able to change the orientation of the distal end of the connecting
member.
[0023] A second embodiment is an adjustment mechanism including: a
shaft supporting a pair of idler wheels and/or wheels; a horizontal
rod extending the shaft; a frame fixed to the vehicle and
accommodating the horizontal rod; and adjusting screws disposed at
sides of the frame and being movable in a horizontal direction so
as to be able to change the orientation of the horizontal rod.
[0024] A third embodiment is an adjustment mechanism including: a
shaft supporting a pair of idler wheels and/or wheels; a vertical
rod connected to the shaft; a connecting member connected to the
vertical rod; a frame fixed to the vehicle and accommodating the
connecting member; and adjusting screws disposed at sides of the
frame and being movable in a horizontal direction so as to be able
to change the orientation of a distal end of the connecting
member.
First Embodiment
[0025] The present invention will be described below in more detail
with reference to the drawings. A conceptual view of the rubber
track traveling device of the present invention is the same as FIG.
1. FIG. 3 is a view showing the state of the rubber track traveling
device on a ground-contact surface. Reference numerals 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 and 6 in the drawings are defined as described above, and
description thereof will be omitted.
[0026] An embodiment of the present invention is a structure in
which the adjustment mechanism 6 (for adjustment in directions
indicated by the arrows) is provided at the idler wheels 1 and at
least wheels 30 closest to the drive wheels 2. Because of this
structure, straight traveling and the like of the rubber track are
adjusted twice, i.e., at the idler wheels 1 and the wheels 30. As a
result, the rubber track contacts the drive wheels 2 with a
desirable orientation, thereby significantly reducing (uneven) wear
of the rubber track.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view showing a first specific embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism 6. The adjustment mechanism 6 which is
provided at the idler wheels 1 will now be described. A connecting
member 8 is provided at a shaft 7 supporting the idler wheels 1,
and a proximal end 8a of the connecting member 8 is connected to
the shaft 7. Further, the connecting member 8 is supported by a
shaft 91 at a central portion of the connecting member 8 so as to
be rotatable in a horizontal direction. A distal end 8b of the
connecting member 8 is accommodated in a frame 101 fixed to a
vehicle. Adjusting screws 111, 112 are provided at sides of the
frame 101. The adjusting screws 111, 112 are adjusted so as to move
and position the connecting member 8, whereby the orientation of
the idler wheels 1 is adjusted.
[0028] More specifically, by adjusting the adjusting screws 111,
112 in direction A, the distal end 8b of the connecting member 8 is
oriented in the direction A and the proximal end 8a is oriented in
direction B. Thus, the shaft 7 connected to the proximal end 8a is
oriented in the direction B, and the idler wheels 1, 1 are also
oriented in the direction B. This adjustment is repeated to achieve
a desired orientation.
Second Embodiment
[0029] FIG. 5 is a view showing a second embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism 6. In the second embodiment, the shaft 7
supporting the wheels 3 (30) is extended, and a horizontal portion
(extended portion) 70 thereof is supported by a shaft 92 so as to
be rotatable relative to a vehicle. The horizontal portion 70 is
accommodated in a frame 102 as in the first embodiment. The
adjusting screws 111, 112 are adjusted so as to change the
orientation of the horizontal portion 70, whereby the orientation
of the wheels 3 is adjusted. A specific process for adjustment is
carried out as described in the previous paragraph. In this case,
two pairs of the adjusting screws, i.e., the adjusting screws 111,
112 and adjusting screws 113, 114, are provided to enable fine
adjustment of the orientation of a frame 12, which also enables
fine adjustment of the orientation of the wheels 3, 3.
Third Embodiment
[0030] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a third specific embodiment
of the adjustment mechanism 6. In the third embodiment, a vertical
shaft 93 is provided at the shaft 7 which supports the wheels 30
closest to the drive wheels 2. A connecting member (the frame 12 in
this embodiment) is connected to the vertical shaft 93 and
supported by a frame 13, which accommodates the frame 12 and is
fixed to a vehicle, so as to be rotatable relative to the vehicle.
The adjusting screws 111, 112, 113 and 114 are provided at sides of
the frame 13 and adjusted so as to position the frame 12, whereby
the orientation of the wheels 3 is adjusted. A specific process for
adjustment is carried out as described in the previous paragraph.
In this case, two pairs of the adjusting screws, i.e., the
adjusting screws 111, 112 and the adjusting screws 113, 114, are
provided to enable fine adjustment of the orientation of the frame
12, which also enables fine adjustment of the orientation of the
wheels 3, 3.
Fourth Embodiment
[0031] FIG. 8 is a view showing another configuration of the third
specific embodiment of the adjustment mechanism 6. The vertical
shaft 93 is provided at the shaft 7 supporting, for example, wheels
31 which are the center pair of three pairs of wheels 3. The
vertical shaft 93 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to a
vehicle. Further, the frame 12 which is significantly long in the
horizontal direction is fixed to the vertical shaft 93. The frame
13 fixed to the vehicle covers the frame 12. The adjusting screws
111, 112, 113 and 114 are provided at sides of the frame 13 in a
transverse direction thereof. The adjusting screws 111, 112, 113
and 114 are adjusted so as to position the frame 12, whereby the
orientation of the wheels 3 is adjusted. In this case, the
elongated shape of the frame 13 in the transverse direction enables
extremely fine adjustment with the adjusting screws. A specific
process for adjustment is carried out as described in the previous
paragraph. In this case, two pairs of the adjusting screws, i.e.,
the adjusting screws 111, 112 and the adjusting screws 113, 114,
are provided to enable finer adjustment of the orientation of the
frame 12, which also enables finer adjustment of the orientation of
the wheels 3, 3.
[0032] Although the case in which the adjustment mechanism is
provided at either the idler wheels 1 or the wheels 3 is described
in the above embodiments, a similar adjustment mechanism can also
be obtained by using this mechanism at both the idler wheels 1 and
the wheels 3.
Industrial Applicability
[0033] The rubber track traveling device of the present invention
preferably includes a plurality of adjustment mechanisms in order
to orient the direction of the rubber track to the direction of the
vehicle. With this structure, uneven wear of the guides is
significantly reduced. Thus, the adjustment mechanism can be
applied not only to low-speed rubber track traveling devices but
also to rubber tracks for relatively high-speed vehicles such as
off-road vehicles.
Description of the Reference Numerals
[0034] 1: idler wheel
[0035] 2: drive wheel
[0036] 3, 30, 31: wheels
[0037] 4: rubber track
[0038] 5: guides
[0039] 6: adjustment mechanism
[0040] 7, 70: shafts supporting the idler wheel
[0041] 8: connecting member
[0042] 8a: proximal end of the connecting member
[0043] 8b: distal end of the connecting member
[0044] 91, 92, 93: shafts
[0045] 101, 102, 12: frames
[0046] 111, 112, 113, 114: adjusting screws
[0047] 12: frame fixed to a vertical rod
[0048] 13: frame fixed to a vehicle
* * * * *